Nectarine tree `Arctic Gold`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree which has the following unique combination of desirable features that are outstanding in a new variety: 
     1. Fruit with excellent flavor and eating quality. 
     2. Heavy and regular production of white flesh freestone fruit. 
     3. Fruit with firm white flesh having good handling and shipping quality. 
     4. Vigorous, upright growth habit. 
     5. Fruit with a high degree of red skin color. 
     6. Relatively uniform large fruit throughout the tree. 
     7. Ability of the fruit to hold firm on the tree 7-10 days after maturity (shipping ripe).

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The present new variety of nectarine tree was originated by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., as a fifth generationseedling from a cross between Ruby Gold Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No.3,101) and Redwing Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 621). A large group ofthese fifth generation seedlings were planted and maintained undercareful observation by us, during which time, one such seedling, whichis the present variety, having especially desirable fruitcharacteristics was selected for asexual reproduction andcommercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

The present new and distinct variety of nectarine tree was asexuallypropagated by budding, as performed by us in our experimental orchardlocated near Modesto, Calif., and the asexually propagated trees showthat all said characteristics of the tree and its fruit are establishedand transmitted through succeeding propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The present new variety of nectarine tree is of large size, vigorousupright growth and is a prodcutive and regular bearer of large, firm,white flesh, freestone fruit with excellent flavor and eating quality.The fruit is further characterized by being relatively large in sizethroughout the tree, having good handling and shipping quality, having ahigh degree of attractive red skin color and in comparison to itsmaternal parent Ruby Gold Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,101), the newvariety is white flesh instead of yellow and is approximiately 35 dayslater in maturity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographic reproduction in color show typicalspecimens of the fruit and foliage of our new nectarine variety. Theillustrations show the upper and lower surface of the leaves, and anexterior and sectional view of the fruit, with the fruit divided on thesuture plane to reveal flesh coloration, pit cavity and a stoneremaining in place. The photographs were taken shortly after the fruitwas picked at maturity (firm ripe) and the colors are as nearly true asis reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new anddistinct variety of nectarine tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, asbased on observations of the specimen grown in our experimental orchardlocated near Modesto, Calif., with color terminology (except those incommon terms) in accordance with Reinhold Color Atlas by A. Kornerup andJ. H. Wanscher.

Tree:

Size.--Large.

Vigor.--Vigorous.

Growth.--Upright.

Density.--Medium dense.

Bearing.--Regular.

Productivity.--Productive.

Trunk:

Size.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium shaggy.

Color.--Brown to grayish brown (5-E-4) to (5-E-6).

Branches:

Size.--Medium.

Surface.--Smooth to medium rough. Varies with age of growth.

Lenticels.--Numerous. Medium size.

Color.--Light brown to brown -- varies with maturity.

Leaves:

Size.--Large. Average length 71/2". Average width 13/4".

Texture.--Smooth.

Form.--Lanceolate. Pointed.

Margin.--Crenate.

Thickness.--Medium.

Glands.--Reniform. Number varies from 2 to 6. Average number 3.Positioned on base of the leaf blade and upper portion of petiole.

Petiole.--Medium length. Medium thickness.

Color.--Upper surface -- green to dark green (29-F-5) to (29-F-8). Lowersurface -- grayish green to green (29-E-4) to (29-E-6).

Flower buds:

Size.--Medium to large.

Length.--Medium.

Form.--Plump.

Flowers:

Size.--Large -- showy.

Blooming period.--Mar. 5, 1994 to Mar. 12, 1994. Varies slightly withclimatic conditions.

Pollen.--Present -- self fertile.

Color.--Pink.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.--Firm ripe.

Date of first picking.--Jul. 15, 1994.

Date of last picking.--Jul. 21, 1994.

Size.--Large -- comparatively uniform. Average diameter axially 27/8" to31/4". Average transversely in suture plane 25/8" to 3".

Form.--Nearly globose, slightly larger on one side. Slightly flattenedat stem. Slight apical tip.

Suture.--Shallow -- extends from base to apex.

Ventral surface.--Rounded, very slightly lipped.

Cavity.--Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane. Average depth --1/2". Average breadth -- 1".

Base.--Retuse.

Apex.--Varies from rounded to slight pistil point.

Flesh:

Ripens.--Evenly.

Texture.--Firm.

Juice.--Moderate.

Eating quality.--Excellent.

Flavor.--Excellent.

Amygdalin.--Undetected.

Aroma.--Slight.

Fibers.--Few, small, tender.

Color.--White 2-A-1. Pit cavity -- red to turkish red (10-B-8) to(10-D-8). Bleeding to red into flesh from pit cavity.

Skin:

Thickness.--medium.

Texture.--Tough, tenacious to flesh.

Tendency to crack.--None.

Down.--Wanting.

Color.--Ground color, white to pinkish white (10-A-1) to (10-E-8).Overspread with red to dark red (10-C-8) to (10-E-8).

Stone:

Type.--Freestone.

Size.--Large. Average length 11/2". Average breadth 11/8". Averagethickness 3/4".

Form.--Ovoid.

Base.--Straight.

Apex.--Acuminate.

Sides.--Varies from equal to unequal.

Surface.--Irregularly furrowed toward apex, pitted toward base. Pitcavities vary from round to elongated.

Ridges.--Rounded.

Tendency to split.--None.

Color.--Brown to cinnamon brown (6-D-7) to (6-E-7).

Use: Dessert.

Market.--Local and long distance.

Keeping quality: Good.

Shipping quality: Good.

The present new variety of nectarine tree, its flowers, foliage andfruit herein described, may vary in slight detail due to variations insoil types, cultural practices and climatic conditions under which thevariety may be grown. The present description is that of the varietygrown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantiallyas illustrated and described, characterized by its large size, vigorous,upright growth and by being a productive and regular bearer of large,firm white flesh, freestone fruit with excellent flavor and eatingquality; the fruit is further characterized by having a high degree ofattractive red skin color, having the ability to stay firm on the tree 7to 10 days after maturity, having good handling and shipping quality andin comparison to its maternal parent Ruby Gold Nectarine (U.S. PlantPat. No. 3,101) the new variety is approximately 35 days later inmaturity.